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Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour

4.5 (107)
Madrid, ES
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Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour

4.5 (107)
Madrid, ES
Share
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Experience the rich history and stunning architecture of Spain on this Madrid Super Saver tour. Begin your journey at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a symbol of Spanish power and a mausoleum for Charles V. Explore the Habsburg Palace, the Kings and Princes Mausoleum, and the Basilica. Then, venture to the Valley of the Fallen, an impressive monument erected in memory of the fallen during the Spanish Civil War. As you travel to Toledo, Spain's medieval capital, be prepared to be awed by its beauty and charm. Visit the Iglesia de Santo Tome, the Synagogue of Saint Mary the White, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. Finally, see the magnificent Cathedral Primada, one of the most important Gothic Cathedrals in Spain. With a 10% discount when you book this combined tour, you won't want to miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Spain's captivating history and culture.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 10 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-9 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Visit the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
  • Explore the Valley of the Fallen monument
  • Experience the artwork of El Greco in the Iglesia de Santo Tome
  • Visit the historic Synagogue of Saint Mary the White
  • Enjoy the beauty of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entrance to the Valley of the Fallen and the Basilica
  • Entrance to Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
  • Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
  • Entrance to Church of St. Tomé
  • Entrance to Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca
  • Entrance to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial
  • Individual radioguided system
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

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More about this experience

Introduction

Welcome to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour – a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and breathtaking beauty of two of Spain's most iconic destinations. This tour combines a visit to El Escorial Monastery, an architectural masterpiece that reflects the Spanish monarchy and church, with a half-day exploration of Toledo, Spain's medieval capital and a hub of artistic and architectural treasures.

What to expect?

During this 630-minute tour, you'll embark on a journey through time and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring history and culture of Spain. Begin your day at El Escorial Monastery, where you'll marvel at its stunning Habsburg Palace, the Kings and Princes Mausoleum, the Chapter House, and the Basilica. Gain insights into the significance of these landmarks, which represent the Spanish power and commemorate the battle of St. Quentin. Next, venture to the Valley of the Fallen, a monumental basilica nestled in the Madrid mountain range, dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Spanish Civil War. As you stand before the impressive 150-meter-high cross, the breathtaking landscape will leave you in awe. In the afternoon, explore Toledo, a treasure trove of medieval architecture and El Greco art. Visit the Iglesia de Santo Tome, where you can admire El Greco's masterpiece "The Burial of the Lord of Orgaz." Continue your journey to the Synagogue of Saint Mary the White and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, soaking in the serenity and grandeur of these historic sites. The tour culminates with a visit to the Catedral Primada, one of Spain's most impressive Gothic cathedrals. Marvel at its intricate architecture before enjoying free time to explore Toledo at your own pace.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history buffs, art enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to discover the rich cultural heritage of Spain. Whether you're a first-time visitor to Spain or a seasoned traveler, this tour offers a comprehensive experience that will leave you with a deep appreciation for the country's past.

Why book this?

By booking the Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour, you'll gain exclusive access to two of Spain's most significant historical sites. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you'll delve into the stories and secrets behind each landmark, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of Spanish history. Additionally, by combining these two half-day tours, you'll enjoy a 10% discount compared to booking them separately.

Good to know

Make sure to wear comfortable footwear as this tour involves walking and exploring various sites. It's also advisable to bring water and sunscreen, especially during the summer months. Please note that entrance fees, meals, and transportation are included in the tour price, ensuring a hassle-free and immersive experience.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on the Royal Monastery of El Escorial + Toledo Half Day Afternoon Tour have been captivated by the beauty and historical significance of the sites visited. They have praised the knowledgeable guides who provided fascinating insights and made the experience truly unforgettable. Visitors have also expressed appreciation for the convenience of combining these two tours into one, allowing them to maximize their time and enjoy a seamless exploration of Spain's cultural heritage. Overall, reviews highlight the exceptional value and rich experiences offered by this tour.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial

We will start our visit at El Escorial, symbol of the Spanish power in the XVI century that commemorates the battle of St. Quentin. It is also mausoleum for Charles V. Due to the symmetry and balance of its construction, according to the humanist Renaissance style, for years it had been considered for years the eighth wonder of the world. The visit includes the Habsburg Palace, the Kings and Princes Mausoleum, the Chapter House and the Basilica.

Admission Included

Valley of the Fallen

Located 9 km away from El Escorial, this enormous monument was built between 1940 and 1959 to honor the fallen during the Spanish Civil War. The basilica is carved into the mountain at 1350 meters of altitude, where an impressive 150 meters high cross places itself over the magnificent landscape of Madrid’s mountain range.

Admission Included

Iglesia de Santo Tome

You will be able to visit "The Burial of the Lord of Orgaz", masterpiece of El Greco inside the church

Admission Included

Synagogue of Saint Mary the White

You will be able to visit the interior

Admission Included

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

Enjoy the interior of the monastery

Admission Included

Catedral Primada

The walking tour will continue until we reach the Cathedral, considered of the most important Gothic Cathedrals in Spain. You will see it from the outside before the guided tour finishes. Then, you will have free time to explore Toledo on your own before returning to Madrid.

Reviews

(107)

4.5 (107)

L_R

Best use of time to get to El Escorial and tour Toledo, both in the same day. We were picked up at our Hotel and had a pleasant family day!

E5860MNelainef

This tour was exceptional, Manuel was the driver and did a good job. Robert was the tour guide and he was fantastic, full of knowledge and very helpful. Again dual language was needed and he did a great job. Well done.

Stacie911

Beautiful doesn’t do it justice! We had amazing tour guides Robert, Andrea, & Fernando made that easy. Robert was our English tour guide. There are no photo’s allowed to be taken inside the buildings. This is a must see your! There are stairs in the monastery. So people who have trouble walking will be directed a different way. We had one lady with a cane that couldn’t do the up & down of stairs. The tour guides are very knowledgeable of the area & History. The bus we ride in was very comfy.

Judi_G

We really were impressed with the monetary! Well worth the visit and tour. Toledo was decent but the highlight that was shown was a visit to the sword factory, which they no longer do.

L8934KEyvonnes

If you love culture and history this trip is for you! The sites are beautiful, and you learn so much. There were 2 guides in the morning which was great because the group split (English and Spanish) for the visit of the Monastery. As it was Sunday morning, we weren't able to access the Basilica unfortunately. Toledo in the afternoon was very well structured and we saw a lot in half a day. The group in the afternoon was quite big (38 people) so be prepared for moving with a crowd. Wear comfortable shoes - there is quite a bit of walking (and free time to do some shopping).

Bud_B

Okay, the tour may have been great. We wouldn't know. We missed the departure time for the morning trip. Yes, it was our fault. Good old Google Maps told us the distance to the departure area from our hotel was ten minutes and we did get an Uber about 30 minutes before the departure time, but the Uber driver drove around in circles for 40 minutes, apologizing along the way, but by the time we finely got to the tour place, the bus had left, 10 minutes earlier.. Viator's answer? Too bad. I get it. I'm sure this happens all the time and the people working for tour guide agency has more important things to do than fret over wayward Uber drivers or clients. Anyway, the 2nd half of the tour, the one to Toledo, was on a different bus that left in the afternoon. We camped out at the departure point for several hours to be sure not to miss it (there were several delightful street cafes within view of the departure site, so we were comfortable). The 2nd half was magnificent. Toledo was beautiful. The guide charming, funny and informative. This would have gotten our highest 5 star review except for the missed bus in the morning and the I don't give a darn attitude of the tour clerk.

LiangMeng_L

There is much could be explored for Toledo as full day, instead of half day tour. Also, not much time given for shopping...i believed there are much to know about the culture during the 13th century in this ancient city Toledo.

pictuto

I was pleasantly surprised by this tour although it helped to have a professional guide take us and explain all aspects of the monastery and its history. To take in all that history was almost overwhelming at times but well worth the visit.

kaden l

I was not really expecting this to be such a beautiful place, I was just researching this for a project, until I visited, this place is amazing.

alr

<p>Both locations are fantastic but in future I would do the tours separately. Toledo is a gorgeous BUT it is a quite<br/> a challenge to climb it especially when you are trying to keep up with the guide.<br/> I was really impressed with the way the local ground operator, Julia Travel, handled all the people meeting at the<br/> office at the same time for various tours. <br/> Lunch was included in our tour, in-between the two tours. It was a nice little restaurant and the food was good, <br/> only wish we had had enough to time to enjoy it. We had to rush through it and constantly remind our servers that<br/> we had a tour to catch. Luckily the office was just down the block, but we still barely made it.</p>
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-05 02:47